• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $85,000 - $95,000

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Associate Director of Contract Negotiations, Morningside of Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA), the Contract Negotiations Officer will primarily be responsible for the review and negotiation of research collaboration and funding agreements, as assigned.  The Contract Negotiations Officer will also be responsible for review of other contracts and documents relating to sponsored research.  

The successful candidate will negotiate with external collaborators and sponsors in pursuit of research grants, agreement, contracts, and collaborations, in accordance with applicable regulatory and legal requirements and institutional policies.

The Contract Negotiations Officer will have duties that include intake, processing, negotiation, facilitating execution and archiving of contracts and agreements.  This individual is expected to adhere at all times to relevant sponsor and University guidelines in the facilitation of contracting operations. 

Responsibilities

Contract Negotiations

• Draft, review and negotiate agreements for sponsored research funding such as awards from federal and state agencies, foundations, industry partners, and other academic institutions, as well as collaboration agreements with external research partners. 
• Draft, review and negotiate unfunded sponsored research agreements, including confidentiality agreements, amendments, data use agreements, materials transfer agreements, and other related documents.
• Collaborate with SPA Projects Officers and department administrators and personnel as appropriate to ensure contract negotiations proceed in accordance with institutional needs.
• Ensure timely review and negotiation of research related agreements.
• Track and disseminate contract negotiation status updates to staff and internal partners.
• Liaise with internal partners in research such as Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA); Clinical Trials Office (CTO), Columbia Technology Ventures (CTV), Office of General Counsel (OGC), Sponsored Projects Finance (SPF); the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the Office of Research Compliance and Training (ORCT).
• Assist with implementation of policies and procedures designed to assure that contract negotiations are addressed in compliance with applicable federal and state regulations (such as those promulgated by the Department of Defense, National Science Foundation, Centers of Disease Prevention, and others).
• Prepare agreements for execution and archiving following institutional policies and procedures.
• Serve as a resource for researchers, faculty and departmental administrators with respect to sponsored research agreements.  
• Escalate negotiation issues to Manager of Contract Negotiations and/or Director of Sponsored Projects Administration to seek resolution.

Sponsored Projects Administration

• Review and provide input on proposal submission documents, including certs and reps.
• Maintain an up-to-date awareness of policy changes relevant to research administration.
• Assist Senior Project Officers and other departmental staff in identifying and problem-solving contract inquires and matters. 
• Perform other pre- and post-award duties as directed.